Page 35 of The Princess of Portals

“Yeah, that was pretty cool.”

“I was wondering…” He stopped, looking uncertain.

“Yes?”

“I was wondering if you would like to try the spell again sometime.”

“Of course.”

When he smiled, I felt like the storm clouds had parted, showering me with warm sunlight. I felt optimistic. Happy. Ready to take on the world. Kato’s smiles were rare, but so beautiful.

“I like to see you smile,” I said.

Something akin to confusion crinkled his brow. “Why?”

“Because it means you’re happy, you goon!” I laughed.

“Knights aren’t supposed to smile.”

“Well, it’s not like anyone can see your smile under that helmet you’re so fond of wearing.”

The mentors’ ‘knights wear helmets!’ song started playing in my head. And I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“What’s so funny?” Kato asked me.

“Honestly, you don’t want to know.”

“You must know that when you say something like that, I really have to know.”

I told him about the song.

“I am familiar with this song,” he said, frowning. “Some of the Knights don’t take the Code of Conduct seriously enough either.”

“Maybe life doesn’t need to be completely serious all of the time.”

His eyes slid over me.

“What is it?” I asked.

“I’m trying to picture you as a Knight.”

“And?”

“And I’m having trouble imagining you ever keeping your helmet on.”

Laughing, I lifted my hand to pat him on the shoulder. But he caught it. And held it. We stared at each other.

I cleared my throat. “Nice reflexes.”

“You could have them too. If you followed the training regime laid out by the Code of Conduct.” He sounded like he was half-teasing, and yet doubly serious.

“Not the blasted Code of Conduct again!” I groaned.

The hint of a smile touched his mouth. “It’s not so bad once you get to know it.”

It? Or him? I seemed to remember Kato once telling me that he’d written larger parts of the Code. That meant he’d put some of himself into it. Well, in that case…

“I guess it wouldn’t hurt to at least give it a shot.”